Stretcher with skeletal traction facilities



2 ShetS-Sheet 1 STRETCHER WI'II-I` SKELETAL TRACTION FACILITIES Filed Aug'. 2, 1945 C. C. CARPENTER Sept. 21,'1948; 2,449,767

s'InE'IcHER WITH SKELEIAI. IRAcIIo'N FACILITIES Filed Aug. 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 21, 1948 UNITED "STATI-:s 4parefeu N OFFICE STRETCHER WITH SKELETAL TaAo'rIoN FACILITIES Charles C. CarpentenGrand Forks, N. Dak.

Application vAugust 2, 1945, Serial No. 608,439

tion by which the stretcher may be (juicklycon-` verted to a cot and cross brace construction for maintaining the two side rails in proper spaced relation with tension on the iiexible sheet or body support.

The patents also disclose some facilities `for 7 Claims. (Cl. 128--84) Vcooperative association tending, anchoring means or clips for securing strapping the patient to the stretcher and ap- I plying traction to parts of the body.

My present invention relates particularly to improvements in my general stretcher structure which materially increase the facility and effectiveness of applying and maintaining Xed skeletal traction -for broken bones.

It is an object to provide in a stretcher of the class described, closely cooperating means whereby traction may be effectively applied to i most members of the body to relieve pain and prevent further injury to fractured limbs, neck and other body portions after an accident and during transportation. i

More specifically, it is an object to provide in a stretcher or litter, two series oi closely cooperatirig, anchoring elements disposed respectively at the longitudinal sides of the stretcher and adjacent the ends thereof for anchoring traction ties and straps whereby substantially straight-line traction may be applied to the i arms, legs and spine of the patient and whereby, moreover, the body may be strapped or otherwise, xed to the stretcher in a desired, predetermined relation to permit proper traction stresses to be obtained.

A further object is the provision of a simple but highly efficient set of anchor clips for traction ties which t very compactly into the end portions of the stretcher rails or side members without interference to other parts of the stretcher and which may be quickly extended inwardly in substantially straight line relation with the legs and arms and in combination with straightline pull effect for the neck, and back. l

Another object is the provision by simplied but highly efficient expedient of a plurality of longitudinally spaced anchoring loops at eachof the longitudinal sides of the stretcher adapted for' with the inwardiy l extraction ties.

These and other objects and advantages yof my invention will be more apparent from the follow.-

ing description made in connection "with the accompanying drawings,` wherein like `reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the `several views and `in which: l

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of `an, embodiment of my improved stretcher or litter, the dotted lines indicating a human figure disposed` on the stretcher with traction applied to both legs;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. 4 is a detail View partly in top planand partly in horizontal section showingthe forma` tion of anchoring loops by the application of a iiexible element or cord to the marginal ends of the canvas sheet at the side of `one of the rails;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of anchor clip detached;` Fig. 6 is a top plan view of another form of stretcher with my improved cooperating an` choring elements for applying traction. and strapping the patient; l

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the` same; and u Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the same.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, of the drawings, the general structure oi my stretcher is similar to that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,367,167 issued January 9, 1945, andcomprises a pair of two-section, longitudinal side rails, the

Ysections of which are indicated by the numeral Ill, the two sections of each rail being efficiently pivoted together centrally of the stretcher by an eiiicient pivot construction indicated as an entirety, `by the numeral Il, which as illustrated` their `corresponding ends by collapsible spreader toggles l2 as disclosed in my said patent, the outer ends of said togglesbeing secured to the `side rails and provision being made forholding said toggles in out-stretched, horizontalposi` tion, as indicated in Fig. 1. Theilexible, rec,`

tangular body-supporting sheet I3 ci my improved construction, is substantially identical Iwith. the ilexible sheet illustrated in my said pate comfortable and conformable horizontal support# for receiving a human body irl-reclining positiont,

My improved construction also embodies plvj v otally collapsible, short legs I 4 connected with the respective end portions of'theAl siderails and` I identical in structure and function *withtheleg disclosed in my said patent, said legs being re` tained in both vertical, set-up positions, asfsho-Wn J in Figs. 1 to 3, or in collapsed, horizontal positions, ;against therendsgoi the; siderails, byfmeans. of tooth-provided, resilient: plates i;identica-1 with those shown in my said patent lattached;to.

theitop sides. of the stretcher rails fatfpoints-:out-

Wardly somewhat .of-the pivots'vof legs?! e. W ith said Vpivo-tally .collapsible legs: lf3, ,thestretcher .maysbe quickly convertedto a` cot by,l erecting` the lfourlegs sld.. Thefptwo. legs-airone` endaof the stretcher only, maybe erected ztoinc1ine rthe supporting sheet, longitudinallyn to a supporting surface. for longitudinally; sliding. a` human body, such as .inthe case of a-.persongvlfhose neck, back:

or leghas been broken, .ontos the: stretcher. y

My present` inventions. asxhas been; previously stated, relates particnlarly:towimprovements cornbinatively associated ,with thepartszoi myastretch er for at. least :some thereofhereinpreviously11:- scribed, toefneiently strap; or. altro-hor;V the body invarious positions to.:thestretcherand-'to apply;

most effectively, fixed, skeletal, .traction,stresses to most parts oi the body, in fracture cases. To

such ends, ittis desirable ,topwyde faCleSi-for strapping. or'securingy variousfportionszof the body by; transverse. tying; members f spaced: longitudinally throughout :th'efg-reater part oipthe,V length of I the supporting sheet".

I accordingly, provide for;ea.cli 1 01," theftwodolde able sections of.. my .stretcherA andjat: the zlons.- tudinal `edges andsides'f or thegrals; a plurality ot longitudinally spaced, l.short horiZontal loops Ia which overlie1thevcanyas;orI other sheetingv material, preferably at: the;v outer; and; vertical sides ofthe-:rail sections I.; .Thisafveryusimply accomplish by. providing said;;long-itudinal portions :of the sheeting material. I 3 g at .leach sideof the.Z stretcher, .with a.. series l of .longi-.tu.d'nallitr spaced, metal eyelets AIliseculzed: tocthewmaterialand extending therethroughsjrthrough; which is;l passed:` for each rail sectiom me. a; continuous;

strongcordor other iiexiblerelement. I6 said drawings, extending;v longitudinally; andsoutwardf of the sheeting, between: the.,;last: of 1 said.y first pair. ofVv eyelets and;-- the r next; successive:- eyeletandi this procedure being continued r throughout substantially theU length of the sheeting-1: con:--` stituting: the, supportingmedinm. for' one# section The ends,` ofthe f flexible 5 elei-l ment` Iaareprovided with Yloops IBD-which sur round the shanks ,of Lfscrevvsl or hooks-I lltvvhich. maya-'be threaded'4 into the sweeper-tions, or they.l :railsV- at the appropriate point; v Theyeyelets Il t of my stretcher:

4 are preferably of such internal diameter to permit the loops I 6b to be passed therethrough, The exible element I6 may be readily removed or replaced by merely turning the L-screWs I9 through 180 degrees and the connected loop ends Ib, slipped off of the hooks.

With a multiplicity of anchoring loops Ia provided at the tWo longitudinal sides of the stretcher, straps "S or fabric-securing l members may" be variously positionedrelative to the stretcher and the body thereon, directly transversely of the body or diagonally, as desired, to sec-:urel orx theV body in a desired position to enable traction stresses to be applied to the limbs, arms, hips, neck or back of the injured.

' For-'applying such iixed skeletal traction or more` specifically, for anchoring exible traction elements, T, I' provide a plurality of lateralendzof the stretcher, thereby; yuniformly;` applying-7;,

'60,. elementbeing wovenalternatelyin:and:outreia-x.1 tivevto'the'canvas andfas clearly "slioyvnairrrthe?.v

= 1y,A and inwardly extensible anchor members, as

shown in Figs. l. to 5 inclusive, in the form of pivoted anchor clips I8 comprisingahooksslfiaped flat plate VI 8a,.pivoted at one :endoi eachxiofsthecrails, to preferably the topsidefthereot-"bm pivot:- screw or pinl lad `andadaptedirtoibeidiisposedzlongitudinally of ,the rail and fiush thereagainst; as'shown at theright handI endof .the:stretcher: inFig, 1. Theplates wax-aref providedfatvthein: medial portions with preferably-j'. ntegpatlly.;w formed, down-turned abutment flanges =.I abi-adapte y ed toabut ilatwise against theinneryside .oith'ef end of `tliefrail in retracted,y collapseolf-pos-itiorrl and? adapted fwhen Vrthe clips are=finwardly swung,- .tot operativer posi-tion, `as shown at" the left;- endl-ioni thegstretcher,shoWn'inFig. 1, to abutbyf-edgee- 1 wise engagement the inner side of the assoclatedf.

rail', endjto limit the inward ySwingin-gni themanchor clip to positions substantially; perpendicular to the rails. The anchorl clipsf'l; it :vs/'illSoeLnoted'*4 are mounted on theouter;extremitieseiogthe rails to l; occupiJ `when collapsed,` Y aposition*v just foute` v wardly ofV the resilientretaining clips' I5.: and;I out-.of 1interfering relationv withY said .clipsf'and'z the swingably collapsible legs d. Anchor#elipseI8'-v terminate in-4 free hook ends I8e=fto whichi the :traction-tying, elements; such. as: cords; clothfl.

strips or the like, are adapted: to; bessecuredi. The-anchorfclips I 8-areof such length fthatrwhen; operatiyelyy positioned. substantiallyf straights line stressesma-y beI placed -uponwthe Vleg s.:ai'n'.i: arms of the injured person.` Incassi-oi xed'- skeletal traction for, avbroken" neck-2v orfbroken back, thepchin and head of,a;person;f-aref-iirst1 properly engaged with the traction-applyingf` bandagezand" the ends thereoffproperly tiedfsto;V theyhook I8@v 0f 'the-anchorrclips at'fthe'iupper:

traction stressgin a resulta-ritt'straighteline-fdievv rection;` to :the back--r andineckf orf; to;thevelfntiiie:A spines'. The `injured vperson is Athereaitenf-tiedzvirrr or -aitXed-to thefstructuresby, anchoringgitliebodyty with-transverse strapse-or tyingmernberscat:apa propriate points such as overt-the, arms; ,abo-vee thehips, `.above the knees. or byfthevfeet, said straps oral transverse tying members:y bei-nge coneY nected` with the appropriate .anchorr4 loopsal Gai-f With my. {structure` and f the:n Wide-1y;V yariablef means of anchoring securing strapsllangel-ge-l'emeritss as well fas. theoperative positionsaof theefourf-inf- WardlyeXtendi-ngyanchor clipssfixed skeletal-trace legs, anklespknees, hips; arms,` `neck* andefor:

brokenbacks. l i

:Erom the: yforegoingdescription, it will ib'eseen/f that ,With ymyy, irriproyed` structurer many,- ativanv ,stages in tcaringor randl transportinggfracture cases;

azi-193er,

as vwell asf restraining, the :body and mental; and other cases, is providedglt has been found'that Withl the j fuse, `of, 1:- my j structure, substantially straight line application of traction stresses is obtained with highly beneficial effects, -as contrasted with the application of traction-applying elements in lines divergent to thelimbs or body members.y

In Figs. 6 yto 8, I disclose another form of my invention applied to a non-flexible litter, comprising a relatively rigid body sheet 2lwhich may be convenientlyA constructed from 1- wood or suitable composition material of elongated rectangular form,su'icientwto accommodate a human body andhaving attached to the four corners thereof and extending longitudinally thereof, rounded handle members 2|. Handle members 2l may conveniently be provided with atted anchoring portions or bases 2 la which may be rigidly affixed to, preferably, the upper surface of supporting body or sheet 20 by elongated screws or other fastening means 22.

Across the medial portion of the two handle members 2i lat each end of the litter, I attach, as by screws, 24, a traction tie-anchoring bar 23 preferably secured at its ends to the upper sides of the medial portions of the opposed handle members 2 I, to dispose the bar 23 in transverse, spaced relationship to the upper surface and respective end of the board or supporting sheet 20. This bar, as in the case of the inwardly swingable, laterally disposed, anchor clips I8 of the form of my invention first described, provides a laterally extending anchoring means to which the cords, ropes or textile, traction tying elements may be tied and secured.

For the purpose of providing anchor loops to which the ends of str-aps or other flexible securing means may be attached, I provide at each of the longitudinal portions of the supporting sheet or board 20, a series of anchoring loops 25a disposed in this form of the invention, upon the upper surface of the supporting sheet 2D and in close proxlimity to the longitudinal edges thereof. Loops 25a are formed in quite similar manner to the loops lia of my form of stretcher rst described, by weaving in and out, portions of an elongated cord or other flexible element 25, through a series of longitudinally spaced apertures extending vertically through the thickness of the board, adjacent its respective longitudinal edges. The cords 25 may be conveniently secured in place by knotting the ends thereof after tensioning the same in the threaded and woven position, as clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

With this last described form of my invention, xed skeletal traction for various fractures may be applied with the body secured at appropriate portions by cross straps to the supporting sheet and with the traction ties connected with the requisite limbs or portions of the body and anchored to the anchoring cross bars 23 at appropriate points to apply straight line traction stresses.

It will of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without 4departing from the scope of my invention.

porting member and an anchoring element to which a traction tie may be secured connected with one` of said handle' Vmembers and extending inwardly :and laterally 4therefrom in spaced relation to theadjacent end of said body supporting member.- and` having a` hooked.` extremity, spaced inwardly some distance :from saidl handle member .whereby substantially straightline strain may be applied .to a'llimbof the human body. l '2. The structure set `forthin claim 1,. wherein said lanchoringI element. comprises a member ,pivotedzon a verticalaxis tosaid. handle lmember and having abutment `means Afor limitingl inward swingingmovement thereof toaposition substantially perpendicular to said handle member when stress isapplied thereto byfastening the traction` tiel' ffii .q f l In l` 3. A stretcher having skeletal traction facilities comprising a pair of spaced side rails, a body support extending between said side rails and secured thereto and an anchoring element for traction ties extending inwardly and laterally from the end portion of one of said rails and terminating in a hook for connection with a traction tie disposed in longitudinally spaced relation to said i rails for applying straight line strain upon a limb of a human body disposed upon said supporting member. c

4. An anchor clip for securing a ilexible, skeletal, traction tie comprising a plate adapted to be pivoted adjacent one end to a rail, handle member or the like of a stretcher or analogous device in overlying substantially horizontal relationship thereto and abutment means associated with said plate for maintaining the same in substantially perpendicular and inwardly extending relationship to the rail or `member with which said plate is associated when stress is applied thereto bysecuring of a traction tie.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, said abutment means comprising a perpendicular flange, rigidly connected with said plate and adapted to engage the member to which said plate is attached in longitudinal relation to position said plate inoperatively and adapted to engage said member in edge-wise engagement to limit its inwardly disposed operative position.

6. A stretcher having skeletal traction facilities comprising a pair of spaced, longitudinal rails, a flexible supporting sheet stretched under tension between said rails and secured thereto, a plurality of anchor clips pivotally mounted on the top of said rails outwardly of said supporting sheet, each comprising a iiat plate adapted to be disposed substantially in longitudinal alignment overlying the rail to ywhich it is pivoted and adapted to c be swung to a right angle position extending inwardly and laterally of said rail, abutment means on said plate for limiting the inward swinging thereof to said perpendicular relation and each of said plates having a terminal hook adapted to be disposed in inwardly spaced relation to said rail for receiving and fastening a :flexible traction-applying element whereby straight line traction eiort substantially parallel with the longitudinal center line of a body disposed on said supporting sheet may be applied to the limbs of a human body supported on said sheet.

7. A stretcher having skeletal traction facilities, comprising a pair of spaced, longitudinal rails, spreader means connecting the corresponding ends of said rails, a flexible supporting sheet stretched between said rails and secured thereto,

a series of anchoring loops for restraining members disposed in over-lying relationship to said rails and formed at each side of the stretcher by 

